0It was exactly one year ago today that as I stood in the Nagano kencho at the annual High School Spring Training Seminar giving a presentation, one of the most powerful earthquakes ever hit Eastern Japan. I was walking around the room when someone said, "Stephen! Stop shaking my chair!" We thought it was a joke at first, but then the blinds on the windows started flying around and we rushed out of the room (not really knowing what to do in this situation).
After a few minutes things calmed down and all of us went back into the room, but we felt strong after shocks for the rest of the afternoon. We didn’t know until after the meeting, when we saw the news, the scale of destruction that had happened only a few hundred kilometers away from us.
On the way home I got a call from my mom back in the states who was watching the news. I reassured her I was alright. That night I didn't sleep a wink. My cell phone earthquake alarm was going off every hour with the after-shocks.
When I went back to school on Monday the foreign exchange student was packing up her bags and going home..."Japan isn't safe" she said. Everyone seemed tense and scared. However, the thought of leaving didn't enter my mind- Nagano there was comparatively little damage, and no radiation threat from the Fukushima Power Plant.
It took awhile to really understand the magnitude of what happened. Over 20,000 people died, and the Fukushima Power Plant incident has been ongoing and many people have had to leave their homes in the vicinity.
Today, I am glad to see Japan on the road to recovery. I think it will be a long time before Japan can fully heal from last year’s disaster, but I know that there are a lot of good dedicated people out there trying to make Japan a better place.
This March 11th, let's remember those who lost their lives and the broken families caused by last years earthquake and tsunami. My heart and prayers go out to all those who lost everything.
Work is still needed, and if you are interested in helping or volunteering you can visit the Japan Red Cross website for more information
http://www.jrc.or.jp/english/relief/l4/Vcms4_00002070.html
Posted on March 11th, 2012
Posted on March 11th, 2012
I was talking with Sorin last night about how important it is to make the most of our time on the JET Programme. People on JET are given such a great opportunity to use this experience as an amazing stepping stone into the future. We all need to face the reality that this is a temporary experience, and make the most of it.
So how do we make the best of our time? Well, an exercise that we incorporate into all of our seminars and meetings is goal setting. This time that may just seem like an opportunity to take a break from listening to Sorin's silly jokes is actually really important. Making goals is a simple way to measure how we spend our time here personally, professionally, and in our community.
"People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. It's as simple as that." - Earl Nightingale
Not only setting goals is important, but developing a pathway to reach those. For example, if you come and you want to improve Japanese a simple way to do that is work towards taking the JLPT by going to a tutor, making Japanese friends, or watching Great Teacher Onizuka over and over again.
After a few weeks, months, or a year go back and review your goals and see where you are. Have your goals changed over that time? Do you need to revise your plan on how to achieve them?
I think one of the saddest things would be to live in Japan and go through this great program having fun, but never really achieving anything. My advice is to constantly set goals, challenge yourself, and just do it.
Good luck and I hope you too can make the most of every second here!
So how do we make the best of our time? Well, an exercise that we incorporate into all of our seminars and meetings is goal setting. This time that may just seem like an opportunity to take a break from listening to Sorin's silly jokes is actually really important. Making goals is a simple way to measure how we spend our time here personally, professionally, and in our community.
"People with goals succeed because they know where they are going. It's as simple as that." - Earl Nightingale
Not only setting goals is important, but developing a pathway to reach those. For example, if you come and you want to improve Japanese a simple way to do that is work towards taking the JLPT by going to a tutor, making Japanese friends, or watching Great Teacher Onizuka over and over again.
After a few weeks, months, or a year go back and review your goals and see where you are. Have your goals changed over that time? Do you need to revise your plan on how to achieve them?
I think one of the saddest things would be to live in Japan and go through this great program having fun, but never really achieving anything. My advice is to constantly set goals, challenge yourself, and just do it.
Good luck and I hope you too can make the most of every second here!
A typical night in Nagano City with Sorin and Arukuma
Posted on January 19th, 2012
This winter my life is good. I went home to America for some much needed RandR and deep dish pizzas. I enjoyed the company of my friends on a 3 day boarding trip to Hakuba. I have been able to stay warm in my apartment without using any kerosene! As I enjoy all these good things I can't help but look back to my first winter in Nagano.I actually was looking forward to the cold when I came to Japan. I have always enjoyed winter back in Indiana and North Carolina. I like playing in the snow, huddling under the covers to watch movies, and enjoying the christmas season. However, winter in America is far different than in Japan.
First, not having a car made getting the grocies a pain. My options were biking through snow (I almost slid into a busy intersection and died once) or walk. Seeing how the closest grocery store is about a mile away it made things difficult. Not to mention I could only buy what I could carry. There were often a night when I was deciding between much needed bread or much desired beer. Figuring the beer also contained yeast I went with the beer. Walking in the freezing cold to get groceries or going to school was not nearly as bad as being at the school or my house.
You see - people often say "I'm used to winter. I can handle the cold." Sure, I believe you, but can you handle it all the time? My first winter in Nagano was so difficult because I was rarely warm. My house had holes in the windows and doors so the snow would come straight into my house along with the freezing wind. At night the glass of water next to my bed would be near frozen. I used to spend hours at the cafe near my school just because it was so warm.
Always being cold takes its toll especially after 3 months. By mid-February I noticed the my spirits were really down. I wasn't whistling to school anymore or waking up happy to be in Japan. My thoughts were always "cold. cold. cold." But by the end of February we had a unusual blast of warm weather that boosted my spirits. I noticed that just a little bit of warmth can go a long way.
The first winter in Nagano was tough, but I think a lot of my problems could have been avoided. Obviously, having a car is important, but more importantly spending time with friends and laughing and staying busy is the best weapon to battle the cold. Friends help you to laugh off terrible situations, help you buy kerosene, and good reminder that life here is good. I wish I could go back and tell myself what I've learned now like: get an electric blanket, don't be stingy on kerosene, get a car, stay at a friends house, don't drink alone, fix the windows and doors, keep the house clean, and remember all that is great about this place.
I hope everyone is enjoying the winter and staying warm. Keep yourself in check and spend a lot of time with your friends! Most importantly have fun! This is one of the ski capitals of the world!!!
-stephen
The first snow. In front of my house in Komagane.
Visiting the monkey onsen with friends.
Posted on August 18th, 2011
Hello everyone!Last Friday we had our Nagano Orientation for all 26 of the new teachers already here. With the help of all the block leaders, and two other guys who just lingered around, I have to say it was a success!
After a day of skills development training all the teachers headed of to Zenkoji temple with local high school students on a scavenger hunt. I don't know how much history everyone learned, but everyone definitely discovered the many delicious flavors of ice cream found at Zenkoji. It was a hot day.
Thanks everyone for your hard work and making this years orientation such a success. I am looking forward to seeing all of you again at Matsumoto Conference or even better at Suwa-Ina's NagaYes!
The day really would not have been possible if it was not for the help of our local Nagano mascot - Arukuma! His words of wisdom will provide endless years of inspiration to all the new teachers.
Arukuma is not an official JET or even a teacher, but his likeness to Sorin is unparallel. That's why we keep him around.
Posted on August 7th, 2011
Hello Everyone!
For the past two weeks we have been settling in at the Kencho and learning the approximate time it takes to get to work every morning. Sorin on bike got there in 28 minutes 17 seconds, Stephen on the bus get there in 38 minutes and 19 seconds, and Bejamin Button got there in -10 minutes.
We have also had the chance to visit Nojiriko to go swimming in its prestine waters and eat from the delicious cafes surrounding the lake.
We have also had the pleasure of welcoming all the new teachers to Nagano! In group A we had 11 teachers and group B we had 13 teachers. Later we still have one more arrival in group C. Sorin claims there is a group D arrival special for Australians, but he also believes ATM's operate by little men inside.
This week we are planning the Nagano Orientation for all the newbies and keeping you oldies up-to-date. Remember you can always shoot us an email at nagano.pa@gmail.com or at our respective Kencho email accounts.
For the past two weeks we have been settling in at the Kencho and learning the approximate time it takes to get to work every morning. Sorin on bike got there in 28 minutes 17 seconds, Stephen on the bus get there in 38 minutes and 19 seconds, and Bejamin Button got there in -10 minutes.
We have also had the chance to visit Nojiriko to go swimming in its prestine waters and eat from the delicious cafes surrounding the lake.
We have also had the pleasure of welcoming all the new teachers to Nagano! In group A we had 11 teachers and group B we had 13 teachers. Later we still have one more arrival in group C. Sorin claims there is a group D arrival special for Australians, but he also believes ATM's operate by little men inside.
This week we are planning the Nagano Orientation for all the newbies and keeping you oldies up-to-date. Remember you can always shoot us an email at nagano.pa@gmail.com or at our respective Kencho email accounts.
Stephen and Sorin at the Kencho!
Sorin at Binzuru! He was chosen for his height, rhythmic prowess, and overall dashing good looks to lead all the foreigners in the Binzuru dance through the streets of Nagano City.
Sorin and Stephen at Tokyo orientation! Welcoming all the new teachers and guiding them through the first few days of JET-lag.
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